Elastic braid



Feb. 25, 1936. R T DAWES 2,032,265

ELASTIC BRAID Filed July 22, 1932 @WMZ 6% W Patented F eb. :25, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 11 Claims.

'I'his invention pertains to textile fabric, and more particularly to elastic braid. In accordance with usual practice, elastic braid is made by braiding cotton or other textile yarn about a longitudinally extending rubber core, and while such fabrics are elastic to some extent, they are not as durable as might be desired and the amount of stretch is definitely limited by the structure and the material of the outer covering.

In the course of a series of experiments directed to the improvement of elastic braids, I have discovered that a marked improvement in durability and elasticity may be obtained if, instead of interbraiding textile strands alone so as merely to form a covering or casing for a straight elastic core, a certain number of the textile strands, for example, one-half of the entire number of ends in the braiding machine, be replaced by rubber strands, the latter thus taking part with the remaining textile strands in the braiding operation and being actually intertwined with the textile strands.

As a further outcome of my experiments I have discovered that if, during the braiding operation, the elastic strands be tensioned nearly to their elastic limit, and particularly if the textile strands be of substantially larger diameter than the rubber strands, or have a looser texture or natural tendency to curl, kink or crinkle, the resultant fabric possesses marked and distinguishing characteristics, making it particularly desirable for certain commercial uses. When braided as above noted, the elastic strands tend to contract after release from the braiding machine and in so doing cause the textile strands to crinkle and form projecting bights, producing the effect of small puffs which collectively produce a soft cushion-like surface somewhat resembling certain ribbed knitted fabrics or those made by crocheting, the textil'e strands, as well as the helically overlapping elastic strands, tending to slow down and soften the recoil of the braid as it resumes normal length after being stretched.

The material thus produced is highly useful, for example, in the manufacture of garters, sleeve elastics, etc., where its soft, cushion-like surface, coupled with its great elasticity makes it very acceptable. Furthermore, the surface ef-A fects obtained in this way are ornamental and pleasing and thus enhance the utility of the material for other purposes as well as those mentioned.

The improved fabric may be made in accordance with general and usual modes of braiding (Cl. Sii-25) except in the details above noted and by the use of braiding machines of substantially usual construction, and the braid may be round-tubular, flat-tubular, or flat, as desired, the distinguishing novel characteristics being present regardless of 5 the form of the braid.

Preferably an even number of ends, both of the elastic and inelastic material is employed, thereby producing a balanced and neutral structure. Usually an equal number of textile and rubber 10 strands are used. However, for special effects I contemplate using an odd number of strands of one or both kinds, particularly to produce a braid having a normal tendency to twist or curl longitudinally. Preferably I employ covered rubber 15 strands, for example, ne rubber threads made by cutting or extrusion, wound with textile yarn or otherwise coated or covered, and when herein I refer to rubber strands, I wish it to be understood that by such term I intend to include 20 strands comprising a rubber core coated or covered with other materials as well as pure thread rubber, and that while I refer to rubber as the elastic material, I am not to be limited to this particular substance but that any material hav- 25 ing similar elastic qualities is to be understood as coming within the meaning of this term.

In the accompanying drawing wherein I have illustrated certain desirable embodiments of the invention by way of example:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, to large scale, showing a flat-tubular braid embodying ,the present invention, the braid being in a completely collapsed condition and showing the braided structure in detail, the ends of the braid being frayed or 35 raveled to illustrate the arrangement of the constituent strands;

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, to smaller scale, illustrating more exactly the visual surface appearance of the braided material; 40

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the at-tubular braid of Fig. 1, but showing the structure when fully stretched as, for example, during the braiding operation;

Fig. 2B is a. View, to smaller scale, illustrating 45 the visual surface appearance of the braid while under heavy tension;

Fig. 3 is a section substantially on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but illustrating 5o a round-tubular braid to large scale in its normal or collapsed condition and showing the structure to larger scale;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the braid of Fig. 4 when fully stretched;

Fig. 6 is a section on tle line 6-'6 of Fig. 4; c

Fig. '1 is a side elevation illustrating a. fiat braid embodying the invention;

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8*-8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a View to small scale illustrating a v garter made ofthe improved braid; andY Y Fig. 10 is aview similar to Fig. 1, but showing ,a modified braid structure. i

Referring vto the drawing, the numeral I designatesstrands'or yarns of elastic material, for example threads of rubber either uncovered, or'Y coveredY or coated with some other material; These strands nay -bewmade by cutting rubber Y threadsfrom sheets in accordance with one comi:V

mon method or by extrusion, if that method beVV preferred. Preferably, for most of the ,purposes here under contemplation, these rubber threads constitute the cores of the elastic strands herein i referred to, such rubber threadsl being covered by :Y winding them with one or more layers ef textile effective size than the rubber or elastic strands I, 30

and if desired, they may be of a looser texture, have a natural tendency to curl, kink or crinkle and may have a. smooth or fibrous surfaceyand they, as well as the coverings of the rubber yarns may be of anyl'desired color orcolors.

In accordance with the present invention, the rubber or elastic strands I are wound upon bobbins, which are mounted in certain selected carriers of a braiding machine, while the strands 2` are'similarly wound on bobbins which :are mounted in the remaining carriers of the braid ing machine. While any usual braiding machine may be employed, I nd that superior resultsarie obtained, particularly in dealing with the elastic yarns 1|, if theV tensions of the braiding carriers are spring actuated, since such spring-actuated tensions are quicker in their responsegto variations in tension than are those devices in which weight-actuated tensions are employed. How'- ever, as already stated, ordinary braiding apparatus may be employed with good'results, if desired. y During the braiding operation the strands I are placed under substantial tension, preferably such as to stretch them substantiaily to their elastic limit, and as .the braid is formed at the braiding point and while the constituent strands are -still under braiding tension, the intertwined strands appear substantially as shownoin Fig. 2, wherein it will be noted that both the strands I and the strands 2 extend diagonally in substantially smooth unbroken intertwinedV flattened helice about the axis of the braid. f

However, when the fabricv is delivered from the 'machine and the longitudinal tension is released,

the elastic strands I tend to resume their normal or untensioned length (although still extending diagonally with reference to the length of the fabric), and in so doing they throw the intertwined inelastic strands 2 outwardly in' the form of projecting bights3, which give the fabric the appearance of being composed of rows of small puffs. 'Ihese projecting puffy bights of the textile material provide a cushion-like surface, which quite closely resembles certain types of knitted fabric in external appearance,'the muwsl of puffs or projecting bights' extendingv trans-r versely acrossV the width of the fabric, as more clearly indicated in Fig. l', where the fabric is' tubular braid, but in Figs. 4, and 6fI have illilstrate-i a round tubular fabric. This comprises Vtile elastic or rubber strands In and the relatively inelastirl strands 2B, interbraided and forming flattened helices extending from end end of the braid, but in this instance the effective size or diameter of the inelastic strands is not materially greater than that of the elasticstrands The mode of braiding is the same as above described. and when the braid is completed, the inelastic strands are forced out into transverse rows of projecting puffs or bights 3*,'inthe same way as in the fiat tubular braid. i

In Figs, 8 and 9 I have illustrated the invention as comprised in a flat braid consisting of the elastic strands Ib and the inelastic strands 2b. These strands are interbraided in such a manner as to form a fiat braid structure, in which all of the strands, bothr eiastic and inelastic, .extend diagonally from edge'to edge of the braid, form' ing flattened helices 'running from end to end of the braid, the strands being interbraided under tension in the same way as above described, so that when released at the completion of the braiding .operation the contraction of the elastic strands throws the inelastic strands outwardly in the form of projecting bight or puffs 3b. i

Itmay be noted from consideration of 1 andi 1u that, in the fabric shown therein, the

elastic strands are substantially concealed inlthe completed fabric, while in the construction of Fig. E5, wherein the Yelastic strands are of relatively larger effective si'ze, they sho'wto some extent when the fabricis complete.

In Fig. 10i have illustrated a diamond braid which possesses the same desirable *characteristics as that above described. In making the braid of Fig. 10, the braiding machine carriers which carry the elastic strands 2l Yand the inelastic strands 22 are so arranged that each pair of elastic and inelastic strands acts as a single strand in the braiding operation,-that is to say each elastic strand is always accompanied by an inelastic strand in the intertwining opera.- tion- The strands are relatively tensioned as above described, and, when v.the braid is released from the machinefthe elastic strands contract and form outstanding pulls 23 of the inelastic material, but in this case the puffs extend in longitudinal' rowsy instead of transverse rows. However', these rowsv of puffs provide a soft cushion-like surface in the Ysame way as in the embodiments of the invention already described. If desired the number of longitudinal rows of puis on one side of the braid may be greater oun than that on the other (by the use of a braiding A tend to hold the device slightly away from the wearers body,.so as to permit ventilation and avoid undue heating at the points of contact. Such a garter as indicated at 5, (Fig. 9) may be formed, for example, by pulling the ends of a length of the braid into the interior of the braid through openings in the walls of the latter, the elasticity of the material and its projecting rows of puffs forming a very secure interlock which prevents the ends from pulling out.

While I have herein described the material as particularly useful for such articles as garters, it is also useful for other purposes, for example ornamental braids useful in the making of hats or for the ornamentation of garments and the like, since as already noted it readily lends itself to ornamental effects of pleasing and unique char acter, while at the same time possessing a high degree of elasticity. Moreover, it has a close resemblance to knitted material, which makes it very acceptable for use as an adjunct or accessory to a knitted garment, whose appearance it `may simulate with great accuracy, while at the same time being free from the tendency to form runs common to knitted material.

In the operation of braiding this material, it is preferable to employ an even number of braiding carriers for the elastic strands and for the textile strands respectively, and in most cases it is preferred to employ the same number of textile and elastic strands, but this mode of procedure may be varied as circumstances may indicate, and although the use of an odd number of strands of one kind may result in the production of a braid having a tendency to twist or curl, I contemplate that such a braid may be found useful under some circumstances wherein its tendency to twist or curl may be of no importance or may even be of utility.

For certain uses, as for example where a quick snappy recovery of the material from its stretched condition is desired, I may provide (in addition to or in substitution for a part of the helically arranged elastic strands above described) certain elastic strands extending substantially straight longitudinally of the braid, such straight strands commonly being known to the trade as gut strands. However, I nd the arrangement previously described preferable for most purposes, as the helical arrangement of the elastic strands, with the interposed inelastic strands, acts to soften the recoil somewhat in the manner of a brake, so that the action is less harsh than in usual forms of elastic braid, and is thus better suited for garters or like body constricting devices.

While I have herein referred to rubber strands and to elastic strands, each having a rubber core, I do not intend to limit myself to the use of the material "rubber alone, since if other materials having equivalent elastic qualities exist or should be found, I contemplate their substitution for rubber in the present fabric, since it is the elastic quality which is the essential characteristic and not the composition of the material which is of importance. I

I claim:

1. An elastic braid comprising interbraided elastic and relatively inelastic strands, the, elastic strands extending about the axis of the braid in substantially smooth uninterrupted intertwined helices, the inelastic strands constituting two distinct sets, the strands composing the two sets being disposed in intercrossing relation, the A inelastic strands o'f each set each comprising a series of projecting bights, said bights being disposed in distinct rows collectively covering and substantially concealing the elastic strands.

2. A tubular elastic braid comprising intertwined elastic strands and textile strands, the textile strands constituting two distinct sets, the strands of one set crossing those of the other set, the elastic strands being disposed in substantially smooth uninterrupted helices and the textile strands of each set each comprising a series of bights projecting outwardly and forming substantially parallel transverse rows of puffs at the outer face of the fabric.

3. An elastic braid comprising intertwined elastic strands and textile strands, the effective size of the inelastic strands being greater than that of the elastic strands, the latter extending in substantially smooth helices, the inelastic strands constituting two distinct sets, the strands of one set crossing those of the other set, the inelastic strands of both sets each comprising a series of bights projecting and forming distinct rows of puffs at the outer surface of the fabric which substantially cover the elastic strands.

4. That method of making elastic braid which comprises intertwining elastic and relatively inelastic strands under tension to form a braided structure in which bo'th kinds of strands form substantially smooth unbroken helices and in which the inelastic strands constitute two distinct sets, the strands of one of said sets crossing those of the other set, thereafter relieving the tension so as to permit the elastic strands to contract and thereby to throw the inelastic strands of both sets into' distinct rows of outstanding bights such as substantially to conceal the elastic strands.

5. That method of making elastic braid which comprises as steps simultaneously delivering tensioned elastic and inelastic strands to a braiding point, the tension on the elastic strands being such as to stretch them beyond their normal lengths, arranging the inelastic yarns in two distinct sets, causing both the elastic and inelastic strands to form substantially smooth unbroken helices which intertwine with each other so as Y to form a braid in which the inelastic strands of one set cross those of the other set, and thereafter releasing the tension upon the constituent strands so as to allow the elastic strands to contract and thereby throw the inelastic strands of both sets into substantially parallel distinct rows of projecting puffs adapted collectively to form a soft cushion-like outer surface for the braid.

6. That mode of making elastic braid which comprises as steps interbraiding elastic and textile strands in equal number to form a braid in which both the elastic and the textile strands form substantially unbroken helices, disposing the textile strands in two distinct sets during interbraiding so that the strands of o'ne set cross those of the other, maintaining the elastic strands stretched beyond their normal lengths while interbraiding the constituent strands, and thereafter releasing the elastic strands from substantial tension thereby permitting them to contract and to throw the textile strands of both sets into parallel rows of outstanding bights imparting a ribbed appearance to the fabric.

7. That method of making an elastic braid suitable for use in the manufacture of gartersa'nd the like and havingtransverse ribs collectively forming the contact surface of the fabric, said method comprising as steps intertwining elastic and inelastic strands under tension to form a braid in which both the elastic and inelastic 'strands form substantially smooth unbroken helices, disposing the inelastic strands in two distinct sets during the intertwining operation such that the strands of one set cross thosev of the other in the completed braid, maintaining tension upon the elastic strands such as' to stretch them substantially to their limit of elasticity during the intertwining operation, and thereafter relieving both kindsof strands from tension thereby to allow the elastic strands to contract and crowd the inelastic strands of both sets outwardly into' rows of projecting puffs which impart a ribbed appearance to the fabric.

8. An endless garter band comprising elastic braid including elastic and relatively inelastic' strands all disposed to form unbroken helices, the inelastic strands being of soft and loose texture and being arranged to form distinct parallel rows of projecting bights forming puffs which collectively' constitute a softv cushion-like surface fo'r the garter.

9. `A11 elastic braid comprising intertwined' elastic and relative inelastic strands, the elastic strands extending iny substantially uninterrupted aosaaos v braid in apath generally vparallel to that -of an elastic strand and diagonally with respect to the length of the braid. the inelastic strands consisting of two sets, the strands of oneset crossing those of the other, the inelastic strands of the two setsl comprising portions disposed -to form transversely extending substantially parallel rows of projectingbights so arranged as to impart a vtransversely ribbed appearance tothe fabric.

1l. An elastic braidcomprising `interbraided elastic-and relatively inelastic strands, each of the elastic strands extending from end to end of the braid in a path generally parallel to that of an inelastic strand and diagonally with respect to the axis of the braid, the inelastic strandsv comprising two sets, the strands of one of said sets crossing those of the other, the strands of the two sets having portions disposed to form longitudinallyextending substantially 'parallelv rows of projecting bights so arranged as to impart a longitudinally ribbed appearance to the fabric.

ROBERT rr. DAwEs. 

